What is now Canon?

[Timerover51]

I copied the following quote and response from another thread to start a discussion here regarding them.

I have sort of gotten the impression that the point of the Galaxiad is that there is a "Dark Age" of some sort occurring sometime between 1248 and 1900, and that all material from earlier published versions of Traveller is just that: different historians' interpretations and reconstructions based on fragmentary historical records. Thus, the "true" version of the Universe history is up to the referee.

In essence, the Galaxiad is the way of reconciling the various versions of the History of Charted Space: technically none of them are entirely correct - the "true" version is up to the GM's preference (or to retcon as he/she sees fit).

Channeling of your inner Marc, eh? Pretty much nailed it.

If everything prior to the Galaxiad is "different historians interpretations and reconstructions based on fragmentary historical records?". then what is then canon for the Traveller Universe? Is there one canon, or are there many, depending on the rules version being used? The post and response appear to mean that there is no longer a "true" single canon.

 

[aramis]

I copied the following quote and response from another thread to start a discussion here regarding them.





If everything prior to the Galaxiad is "different historians interpretations and reconstructions based on fragmentary historical records?". then what is then canon for the Traveller Universe? Is there one canon, or are there many, depending on the rules version being used? The post and response appear to mean that there is no longer a "true" single canon.

Each edition is canon to itself. Overall, T5 is the strongest canon.

 

[Ulsyus]

Each edition is canon to itself. Overall, T5 is the strongest canon.

So canon is purely situational? As in, edition based? Does is link in series, or builds from some editions to another? How does canon differing from edition to edition enable T5 to be more canonical than earlier editions in that case?

 

[whulorigan]

So canon is purely situational? As in, edition based? Does is link in series, or builds from some editions to another? How does canon differing from edition to edition enable T5 to be more canonical than earlier editions in that case?

Presumably because:

1. From a ruleset standpoint, T5 is the current edition, and represents the most up-to-date thoughts on the "nature of things" in the Charted Space universe (handwave-physics, technology, etc.), and
2. From a setting standpoint, the Galaxiad is taking the position that everything that came before that is not specifically nailed down in the T5/Galaxiad material is effectively "apocryphal" in the sense that where all the rulesets/milieux agree, there is certainty (and where they differ lies the realm of historian's interpretation and/or speculation). The degree to which individual canon elements differ from one edition to another is proportional to the degree of certainty that the material is historically accurate.

Hence, canonicity of prior material is entirely up to the referee, officially. In other words, the referee is free to "pick his poison", so to speak, and run with it. This is the way around the proverbial "edition wars" and arguments about which ruleset/setting is best, most accurate, most consistent, etc. As a referee, pick your canon (or conflate your canon from mutliple sources) to suit your taste. It (theoretically) won't affect the Galaxiad setting, as prior material is from the fairly distant and half-remembered past.

 

[Nathan Brazil]

You are both correct. I do not claim to KNOW Mr. Miller's mind but I have taken his statements as the Gospel truth if you will.
In his talk at Gamercon he spoke about how there were elements of the OTU, that if he had made the decision with knowledge of what would come of it, he would have chosen differently. But he "is bound by canon". That is to say he would not retcon something out of existence (ex. Virus never happened"), but rather the retcon would be reinterpretatation (ex. Virus was a bunch of 5-dimension psionic space butterflies that like the smell of IFF transponders). Silly example but I hope you get the idea. But his escape route route, if you will, is that none of them are entirely correct. Lookng into the far past via the lens of history is always foggy, but some events are less subject to interpretation than others.

This is the reason I have his quote in my signature. I operate on the principle that all versions are valid to one degree or another, until Marc says different.

Hey, you forgot me :rofl: !

This is my understanding of the situation. Like whulorigan says, I agree there is no entirely correct canon. And as I say above you will not ever get one because of what I understand is Mr Miller's operating principles on the matter. He has, from time to time removed things outright (ex. Paranoia Press' Ringworlds and Dyson sphere) without an in-universe explanation, but appears to do retcons more often.

For me, I accept that this how "canon" is built and maintained for the Traveller OTU. Canon in the OTU is a bunch of bits and pieces of factoids that get replaced from time to time.

Why does the lack of a singular unchanging canon bother you timerover51?:coffeesip:

 

[Condottiere]

Odds are, it will mutate in future editions.

In the end, look at your base, and figure out what they'll enjoy.

 

[ovka]

While I can understand the logic behind the decision, I can see some problems that it creates. First of all, it can potentially make everything canon. :CoW:

What's that you say? You know of 17 different versions of the Foreven sector in the year 1105? That's because they were written by 17 different historians.

Did the MT/TNE timeline happen, or was it revisionist history to make the 3I look bad? What really happened appears in my GT timeline. :rant:

CT Adventure 4 was de-canonized? Not any more. According to "Charted Space - A History" written by Iwantitall Youcanhaveit, we used to have jump torpedoes and we have either lost the ability to use them, or the ancients have tried to make us forget about them.

There used to be a Dyson Sphere, but it left/disappeared for reasons unknown.

Heck, everybody's IMTU is now one step closer to canon.

Second, my OCD just won't allow it. o:

I've said a few times that I would *LOVE* to see a product that allows me to pick a time and a place (Regina Subsector 1107, Sol Subsector -2300, Core Subsector 0000, Five Sisters Subsector -300000, etc.), and then find out exactly what has been published referencing that time and place so that I could set either a gaming session or an entire campaign in that time and place. I wouldn't necessarily want the product to fill in ALL of the blanks, just show me what has already come before so that I wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel.

Don't get me wrong. For the 1900 era, it's probably the best decision.

Cheers,

Baron Ovka

 

[Nathan Brazil]

First of all, it can potentially make everything canon. :CoW:

There is always but one canon. Canon is in the eye of the intellectual property owner. If the IP holder listened to every whiny fanboy complaint, Han Solo would still be shooting first.

 

[ovka]

There is always but one canon. Canon is in the eye of the intellectual property owner. If the IP holder listened to every whiny fanboy complaint, Han Solo would still be shooting first.

LOL! While I won't argue with that point, it seems to indicate that there are multiple definitions of canon.

1. Canon with respect to the 1900 era (i.e. the histories from the different editions might conflict, but that's ok because it is different historians presenting the information differently).

2. What "really happened¹" (i.e. a reconciliation of # 1 to determine which versions of the histories represent "truth.")


¹ within the context of the game

Cheers,

Baron Ovka

 

[zonk]

Han shot FIRST!!!

:rofl: